Missions & Ministries

Committee on Religious Concerns-CORC Thrift Store

Sort, organize & give gently used clothing that will find a new home.

Located at 8 Willow St. in Potsdam, the CORC store is a used clothing ministry of the faith communities in Potsdam. We are represented on the board and support the ministry by periodically providing workers to sort and organize the gently used clothing that the store makes available at minimal prices. Too, members of the congregation provide used clothing to the CORC store.

Food Basket Ministry

Share the blessing of food & the Word through Thanksgiving & Easter baskets to those in need locally.

The food basket ministry of our congregation provides Thanksgiving and Easter baskets for qualifying families. In addition we provide food gift certificates for some individuals who live alone. To reach as many families as possible, this mission cooperates with other churches who have similar programs.

Habitat for Humanity

Build affordable housing for families in St. Lawrence County. Walk for the cause during the annual walk-a-thon in early May.

For years now we have hosted and supported the First Sunday in May Habitat For Humanity walk-a-thon which begins and ends at our church building. In 2011 we were honored for our many years of support of this affordable housing ministry.

Helping Hands

Meet a local need. Buy a little extra on your next grocery trip & place supplies in the Food for Friends container in fellowship hall. Furniture & housewares are also sought by helping hands.

Helping Hands is a food and used furniture/house wares ministry housed in the former Methodist Church on Rt. 56 in Hannawa Falls, just south of Potsdam. Our congregation is represented on the board of directors and provides food and economic support for the ministry.

Potsdam Holiday Fund

Give a gift from the heart to a local child in need as we celebrate the ultimate gift...the birth of Christ for us all.

The Potsdam Holiday Fund is a community ministry whose purpose is to provide Christmas help for economically challenged families. Our church hosts the portion of the PHF ministry that provides gifts for the children. A second part of the PHF ministry provides a Christmas meal. Several members of our congregation serve on the PHF Board of Directors.

Kairos Prison Ministry

Witness to, or pray for those in prison promoting life changing connections with the God of second chances and forgiveness.

The Kairos prison ministry witnesses to the incarcerated. Members of our congregation have been active in taking the word of Christ to those in prisons. In addition the congregation supports the ministry with prayers and economic support.

Ministry in the North Country (MINC)

Contribute to vacation bible school materials or to building renovation projects regionally.

MINC has an extensive ministry throughout the North Country including furnishing Vacation Bible School materials, helping with utility costs and assisting in renovation projects. Each year the offering from our Thanksgiving service (joint with First Presbyterian Church) is used to support MINC.

Operation Christmas Child

Each year our congregation participates in "Operation Christmas Child," a nationwide program which collects small gifts packed in shoe boxes for distribution throughout the world. We generally collect these boxes in October and early November.

Summer Read-a-thon

Sponsor a student who reads with a purpose over the summer to support a specific mission.

Beginning in the summer of 2007, three youths in our congregation have conducted a Summer Read - A - Thon to raise money for a needy cause of their choice. They created and participated in the read - a - thon, raising over $4100 during the past five years, the generosity and support of the congregation has been heartwarming.

Past causes include:

The Potsdam Holiday Fund - 2007

The Potsdam Animal Shelter - 2008

Humanitarian Aid for Ethiopia - 2009

Backpacks filled with school supplies for needy children in the Potsdam Area - 2010

UMCOR: United Methodist Committee on Relief

Bring Hope. Be where the need is. All funds go directly to the designated area or mission allowing us to be God's hands & feet to stomp out despair.

UMCOR is the relief arm of the United Methodist Church and one of the most highly regarded agencies in the world. Our congregation supports this program through the payments of apportionments and through donations for specific emergencies.

Upper NY Camp & Retreat Ministries including Camp Aldersgate

Explore God's creation as you swim, hike, canoe, or just relax while discovering God's Word and desires for you in this place where lives are changed. Spiritual retreats for adults & summer camp for students.

The UNY annual conference has an outstanding camping program, with six camping and retreat centers, including Camp Aldersgate in Brantingham which is the camp closest to us geographically. Our congregation provides substantial camperships to the children and youth from our congregation who attend.

Winter Global Mission Dinner

Support change for the better through our annual sharing of a simple dinner which raises awareness & funds for a highlighted mission globally. Missions in Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, & Nepal have been strongly supported recently.

Our Global Mission Dinner began in 2008, when we supported a parishioner who was going to Nicaragua on a mission trip. So successful was the dinner and so meaningful the experience, the next year we decided to make it an annual event. We have supported mission projects in Zimbabwe, Nepal, as well as a second one in Nicaragua. The fifth annual dinner will be January 29, 2012 and will be in support of a ministry in the Philippines.

World Vision 30-hour Fast

Feed the hungry. Gain greater clarity, compassion and spiritual renewal. Accept the challenge as we journey together toward Good Friday.

Each year during the week before Easter, several congregants fast for 30 hours in support of World Vision. Our fast begins at noon on Holy Thursday and ends at 6:00 PM on Good Friday when we gather for a simple meal to break the fast.